The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1887-07-08


Justice say
"Not just yet" was the reply; "there is
barely light enough"
Snow, gentlemen said Mr.. Aston, pres
emily. II have prepared In duplicate paper
setting forth as fairly as I can the circum-
stances under which this unhappy affair has |
has come about. propose to read It to you, |
and to ask you all to sign it, as protection |
toto us all. l have brought a pen and
pocket ink pot with me for that purpose"
Nobody objected, so he read the paper 1t
was short, concise and just, and they all
signed it as it stood. Ernest's hand shook
good deal as he did so.
Come, that won't do" said Mr.. Aston,
encouragngly, as he pocketed one copy OF
the document after handing the other TO Capt.
Justice. "Shake yourself together, mani"
But for all his brave words he looked the
more nervous OF the two.
II wish to say" began Ernest, addressing
himself to all the other three, "that this quar-
rel is none OF my seeking. | could not in
honor give up the note the lady wrote to me.
But feel that this is dreadful business: and
If YOU" addressing his cousin, "are ready to
apologize for what you said about my mother,
l am ready to do the same for attacking
you"
Mr.. Hugh Kershaw smiled bitterly and
turning, said something to his second. Ernest
caught the words "white feather
Mr.. Hugh kershaw refuses to offer any
apology; he expects one," was Capt Justices
ready answer.
"Then if any blood is shed, on his head he
it," said Mr.. Alston, solemnly "Come, let
us get it over"
Each took his man and placed him by one
Of the sticks and then handed him revolver.
stand sideways, and remember what l
told you" whispered Mr.. Aston.
Are you ready, gentlemen" asked Capt.
Justice presently
There was no answer, but Ernest felt his
heart stand still, and mist gathered before
his eyes At that moment he heard lark
rise in the air near him and begin to sing
Unless he could get his sight back he felt that
he was lost.
"OneW The mist cleared away from his
eyes; he saw his adversarys pistol barrel
pointing steadily at him
"TwoW A ray broke from the rising sun
and caught crystal pin Hugh Kershaw in
cautiously wore. Instinctvey he remem-
bered Mr.. Alston's advice and lowered the
sight of his long barrel till it was dead on the
crystal pin. Curiousy enough, it reminded
him for the moment of the eyes in the witch's
head at Dum's Ness. His vital forces rose to
| rock. Then came a pause that seemed
| hours long.
Three" There was n double report, and
Ernest became aware of a commotion in his
| hair. Hugh kershaw flung up his arms
wildly, sprung a few inches off the ground
| and fell backward. Great God, it was overl
Ernest staggered moment from the reac-
ton, and then ran with the others toward his
| cousn-nay, toward what had been his
| cousin. He was lying on his back upon the
sand, his wide opened eyes staring up at the
blue sky, as though to trace the fight of his
spirit, his arms extended. The heavy re-
volver ball had struck near the crystal pin,
and then passed upward through the throat
and ont at the base of the head, shatterinp
the spinal column
He is dead" said Capt Justice, solemnly.
Ernest wrung his hands.
Il have killed him. he said-'I have killed
my own cousinln
| Young man." said Mr. Alston, "do not
stand there wringing your hands, but thank
| providence Tor your own escape. He was
very near killing you, let me tell you. Is
your head cutf
mstinctively Ernest took Off his hat. and
as he did so some fragments of his curly hair
fell to the ground. There was q neat hole
through the felt, and a neat groove along his
thick hair. His cousin had meant to kill him :
and he was a good shot, so good that he
thought that he could put ball through
Ernests head. But he forgot that heavy
American revolver, with forty grains Of
powder behind the ball. is apt to throw a
trifle high.
And then they all stood silent and looked
at the body; and the lark that had been
frightened by the noise began to sing again.
This will not do" said Mr. Aston, pres
emily. "We had better move the body i'm
there" and he pointed to the deserted hut.
captain Justice, what do you intend to dop'
give myself up to the authorities, sup
pose" was the gallant captains scared an
swer.
VERY well; then there is no need for you
to be in hurry about that You must give
us time to get clear first"
They lifted the corpse, reverently bore il
into the deserted hut and laid it on the floor
Ernest remained standing, looking at the red
stain where it had been. Presently they
came out again and Mr.. Aston kicked some
sand over the stain and hid it.
"Now," he said, 1--WE had better make ar
addition to those documents, to say how this
came about
They all went back to the hut, and the ad
dition was made, standing there by the body
When it came to Ernests turn to sign, ht
almost wished that his signature was the one
missing from the foot of that CHASTITY post
scriptum Mr.. Aston guessed his thoughts.
"The fortune of war;" he said, cooly
Now, Capt. Justice, we are going tC
catch the early boat, and we hope that yor
will not give yourself up before midday, i
you can helpit The inquiry into the aifai
will not then be held before tomorrow; anC
by II tomorrow morning hope to have seel
the last of England for some years to come
The captain was good fellow at bottom
and had no wish to see others dragged int,
trouble
II shall certainly give myself up" he said
"but don't see any reason to hurry about it
Poor Hugh! he can well afford to wait, :" b.
added, with a sigh, glancing down at th
figure that lay so still, with coat throw
over the face. 81 suppose they will lock M
up for six months-pleasant prospect But
say, Mr.. Kershaw, you had better keep clear
it will be more awkward for you. You see
he was your cousin, and by his death you be
come, unless l am mistaken, next heir to tn
| title"
"Yes, suppose So" said Ernest, vaguely
"Come, We must be off," said Mr.. Aston
''or we shall be late for the boat" and, bow
ing to Capt Justice, he left the hut
Ernest followed his example, and when h
| nau gone u leW yafus, glanced around at til
hateful spot There stood Capt Justice in tn
doorway Of the hut, looking much depressed
and there, few yards TO the left, was til
impress in tho sand that marked where hi
cousin had fallen. He never saw either tn
man or the place again.
"Kershaw," said Mr.. Alston, "what do yo
propose doingf'
~ don't know"
"But you must think; remember you ar
law dueling is murder"
II think had better give myself up, lik
Capt Justice"
"Nonsensel you must hide away somewhel
for year or two till the row blows overn
"Where am to hidel"
"Have you any money, or can you 6,
anyP
ayes, have nearly f250 on me now"
"My word, that Is fortunate. Well nov
what have to suggest is, that you shoul
assume a false name, and sail for Sout
Africa with me, am going up country G
shooting expedition. outside British terr
tory, so there will be little fear of your beiI
caught Then in year or so, when d
affair Is forgotten you can come back to En-
e land. What do you say to thatp
r ~ suppose | may as well go there as an
. where else. | shall be a marked man all n
o life, anyhow, What does 1t matter whe
9 Igor
!, "Ah, you are down ON your luck now;
/ and by you will cheer up again"
v Just then they met n fisherman who gaz